Review by mayaellenson -- Serendipity Mystery: Diary of ...
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mayaellenson
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Review by mayaellenson -- Serendipity Mystery: Diary of ...
[Following is a volunteer review of "Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat" by R.F. Kristi.]
4 out of 4 stars
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Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat (Inca Cat Detective Series Book 7) is a standalone children’s book by R.F. Kristi. The book features the Siberian kitty Inca who heads the detective agency, Inca & Company. With a charming cast of characters, a serious crime to crack, and a great deal of humor, Serendipity Mystery ushers us into an exciting adventure.
The story is set in Sri Lanka with its gorgeous beaches, exotic flora and fauna, lush tea plantations, and spectacular temples. After the dreary weather in London, spending holidays with Mom on the sunny island feels awfully good for Inca and her family crew of Fromage and Cara, Inca's lovely siblings, a smart hamster, Charlotte, and a detective doggy, Terrance. Yet these internationally acclaimed detectives cannot simply lie on the golden sand, prance leisurely around, and indulge in delicious meals.
And here comes the mystery itself to be solved. An ancient sword has been stolen from Colombo’s main museum. Full of enthusiasm, Inca and her furry gang start to snoop around for collecting clues. Before the valuable artifact gets smuggled out of the country, they have to locate the sword and return it to the museum. As the characters explore the island and execute their detective job, they make friends with a baby elephant Meena, her colossal mama, and a sea turtle, Rani. Together, they make even a better team, sharing information and employing their natural abilities to help each other out as Inca embarks on a perilous investigation.
The narrative flows in the first-person point of view. In addition to being a very shrewd detective, Inca is a captivating storyteller. She likes to observe and to put her daily impressions in the journal. A diary format allows the author to imbue this children’s book with a warm atmosphere of immediacy, being an excellent conduit for keeping a young reader emotionally connected to the main protagonists. In fact, one of the bonus features of the story is that Inca’s determination to find the stolen sword not only sparks our curiosity, but lures us into solving the puzzle jointly. In this way, a passive reader may even become interactively engaged in Inca’s exploits, learning from the character itself – and not from the boring adults-- the true value of teamwork and friendship.
The author familiarizes the young readers with Sri Lanka’s local colors, the age-old culture, and its exotic nature with majestic animals. The book also brings to our attention the importance of protecting historic heritage. Among other things, you will never forget that in France, they love cheese. So does a French born kitty, Fromage, who is a true cheese addict.
Kristi’s writing style is enchanting. The text, stylized to convey Inca’s cat persona, is truly delectable. The story is vividly illustrated, helping a reader to visualize the scenes, but at the same time the pictures don’t dwarf the text. I think it’s a really good read for 5-9 years old. Serendipity Mystery infuses one with a sense of wonder, triggering an adventurous spirit. The book also demonstrates that ingenuity, courage, and logical thinking are the essential attributes for succeeding in any pursuit.
In the vast universe of catcentric fiction, as a character, Inca, surely, doesn't stand alone. A mighty army of feline rivals of all colors and identities encircle her, such as, Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Elliot, Rudyard Kipling’s The Cat That Walked By Himself, or the giant cat Behemoth from Mikhail Bulkakov’s Master and Margarita. These examples are just the drops in the ocean. Despite that, a super-duper detective kitty, Inca, shines on her own-- thanks to her charismatc personality, amazing wit, dedication, and self-confidence.
To end with, I rate Serendipity Mystery 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
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Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat (Inca Cat Detective Series Book 7) is a standalone children’s book by R.F. Kristi. The book features the Siberian kitty Inca who heads the detective agency, Inca & Company. With a charming cast of characters, a serious crime to crack, and a great deal of humor, Serendipity Mystery ushers us into an exciting adventure.
The story is set in Sri Lanka with its gorgeous beaches, exotic flora and fauna, lush tea plantations, and spectacular temples. After the dreary weather in London, spending holidays with Mom on the sunny island feels awfully good for Inca and her family crew of Fromage and Cara, Inca's lovely siblings, a smart hamster, Charlotte, and a detective doggy, Terrance. Yet these internationally acclaimed detectives cannot simply lie on the golden sand, prance leisurely around, and indulge in delicious meals.
And here comes the mystery itself to be solved. An ancient sword has been stolen from Colombo’s main museum. Full of enthusiasm, Inca and her furry gang start to snoop around for collecting clues. Before the valuable artifact gets smuggled out of the country, they have to locate the sword and return it to the museum. As the characters explore the island and execute their detective job, they make friends with a baby elephant Meena, her colossal mama, and a sea turtle, Rani. Together, they make even a better team, sharing information and employing their natural abilities to help each other out as Inca embarks on a perilous investigation.
The narrative flows in the first-person point of view. In addition to being a very shrewd detective, Inca is a captivating storyteller. She likes to observe and to put her daily impressions in the journal. A diary format allows the author to imbue this children’s book with a warm atmosphere of immediacy, being an excellent conduit for keeping a young reader emotionally connected to the main protagonists. In fact, one of the bonus features of the story is that Inca’s determination to find the stolen sword not only sparks our curiosity, but lures us into solving the puzzle jointly. In this way, a passive reader may even become interactively engaged in Inca’s exploits, learning from the character itself – and not from the boring adults-- the true value of teamwork and friendship.
The author familiarizes the young readers with Sri Lanka’s local colors, the age-old culture, and its exotic nature with majestic animals. The book also brings to our attention the importance of protecting historic heritage. Among other things, you will never forget that in France, they love cheese. So does a French born kitty, Fromage, who is a true cheese addict.
Kristi’s writing style is enchanting. The text, stylized to convey Inca’s cat persona, is truly delectable. The story is vividly illustrated, helping a reader to visualize the scenes, but at the same time the pictures don’t dwarf the text. I think it’s a really good read for 5-9 years old. Serendipity Mystery infuses one with a sense of wonder, triggering an adventurous spirit. The book also demonstrates that ingenuity, courage, and logical thinking are the essential attributes for succeeding in any pursuit.
In the vast universe of catcentric fiction, as a character, Inca, surely, doesn't stand alone. A mighty army of feline rivals of all colors and identities encircle her, such as, Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Elliot, Rudyard Kipling’s The Cat That Walked By Himself, or the giant cat Behemoth from Mikhail Bulkakov’s Master and Margarita. These examples are just the drops in the ocean. Despite that, a super-duper detective kitty, Inca, shines on her own-- thanks to her charismatc personality, amazing wit, dedication, and self-confidence.
To end with, I rate Serendipity Mystery 4 out of 4 stars.
******
Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like mayaellenson's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Concealment by Rose Edmunds
